Ryan Gosling wears a custom Patek Philipe in Drive.

It is not very often that a watch takes on such a big role in a movie. However, the character that Ryan Gosling plays in Drive is based on a very particular book character. The character is not someone that owns a lot, but he was passed down a great watch from his father that he treasured. Obviously, that means that the watch really needs to stand out in the film. The classic Patek Phillipe watch that Gosling is wearing in the film is absolutely the perfect choice.

This is not a watch that you can go out and buy, because it is not an actual model for sale. The actual watch is a very simple model, with a classic look and a brown leather strap. Gosling does not actually wear the original watch that much in the film because the intensity of the stunts would have broken it. There were a few replicas built to handle the stunts. The reason the watch stands out so much in the film is because it is very different from the big driving watches that are normally worn by stunt drivers. This is a simple looking, classic style watch that is very believable as something that would be passed from father to son.

This watch is small, which helps it complement the personality of the character because of his desire to keep things simple. There are very few features on the watch, though it does have a sub-dial with a seconds hand. The character in the movie has to keep track of five-minute time periods before criminals return to his car, which would make a chronograph function extremely useful for the work that he is doing.

Overall this is a watch that is focused on looking great and not being too flashy. Since it is a rather expensive timepiece, it is perfect to imagine it being a family heirloom and the character’s one truly prized possession. Since it is so crucial to Gosling’s character in the film, the watch truly takes on a shining role, which is incredible for such an understated piece of technology.

What Kind of Watch is run by Elise Tigner. Shamelessly addicted to celebrity fashion with a severe case of wanderlust. When I'm not writing for this website, I work in marketing for a Las Vegas company. Please email me if you'd like to contribute to WKOW.

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